There are no words to describe
Jambo!
I can not even begin to explain the experience that I have had so far and it has only been a few days. If I left for home today I would be a changed person and we still have about 7 more weeks to go. I have seen the worst and the best of Nairobi so far and everything has blown my mind. I have pet a cheetah, had wild monkeys jumping on my head and have feared for my life many times while riding the matatus. Matatus are these mini buses that serve as the public transport here in Nairobi and they travel at extreme speeds and we have almost ran over at least 50 people…but for some reason I feel safe in them. They also pack them full of people so I am basically crawling into them as quickly as possible otherwise they will speed off with your foot still out the door.
I leave for Kisii Town tomorrow morning where we will be staying for most of our time here in Kenya. I am staying with a member of the parliament so I am very anxious to see how a government official lives here in Kenya.
I have picked up a good amount of Swahilli while staying here only for a few days even. I would not be able to hold a complete conversation but the simple phrases I have down.
We got to visit the location of the old US Embassy before it was bombed years ago. It was quite an experience because the next day we went to the new one to register with them and give them our contact information here. It was a very real feeling and the people here respect that place of the tragedy very much so.
I can even begin to describe the people here in Kenya. They are incredible and amazing…
When we come back to Nairobi for the last week of our visit, we are going to be visiting the largest slum in Africa called Kibera. We met someone who lives there and wants to take us there so we can see the worst of the worst. I am trying to prepare myself now for what I will see because it is going to be hard.
Today while walking in town we saw the preparation for the Kenyan holiday on June 1st, which is equivalent to their Independance Day. I have never seen anything like it where there were hundreds and hundreds of military men (Navy, Air Force, Army, etc) marching. It was like a scene of a movie where they all are marching in such a way that they look robotic. I have to admit I was a little nervous for a second because they all had guns…
A few days ago at the home where we are staying right now one of the daughters had a gathering of her Drama Club and there were about 25 people that came over for the entire day and we cooked and talked about life here in Kenya and in the United States. They asked us so many questions about how we live and what our culture is like and it was shocking how they thought Americans thought about them. They still have the perception that white and black people live separately in America, but having them talk to us I believe made them feel better and the smile on their faces was priceless.
We also got a phone yesterday!! The number is +254 0726 167 835. I am not sure how much it is for you to text or call this number, but for me it is 10 shillings a text message and 50 shillings a minute to call (which is around 10 cents a text and 50 cents a minute). I am getting used to the currency and appropriate prices for things and what to pay and what not to pay. The conversion rate is about 77 shillings to every US dollar.
If any of you have any questions email me at ash1ey1207@yahoo.com and in my next update I will try to answer them!
There is so much more to say and so many stories to tell, but I think this is a good summary of what I have experienced so far.
I miss and love you all and I can’t wait to share this all with you when I see you!!
Ashley
